
Author 



Title 



Imprint 



16 — 47372-:$ GPO 



1 



THE 




BO A RDM AN FAMILY 



I N 



TOPSFIELD, MASS. 



By Miss H. Rosa Towne 



KKOM IHK 'l'y>Pl«FlKU> HlSTOHICAt COI.I>RCTION8, VOI.rMK VtJl. 



PUBLISHED BY 

THE TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIF/FY 

TopsFiELD, Mass. 

1902 







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THE 



B O A R D M A N FAMILY 



I N 



TOPSFIELD, MASS 

X ■ 

By Miss H. Rosa Towne 



KHOM ■I'HK TOPSFIKLD HltarrORICAI. COI'I.ECTIONS, VOUTMK VIII. 



PUBLISHED BY 

THE TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

Toi'SFiELD, Mass. 

1902 



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THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 

BY MISS H. ROSA t6WNE. 



Among the emigrants mentioned in the early records of Ips- 
wich, there were two bearing the surname Boreman. Thomas 
seems to have been the first to come, and he made his per- 
manent home there, becoming the ancestor of the Boardmans 
in this vicinity. In a few years he was followed by Samuel, 
who made a short stay in Ipswich, and finally settled in Weth- 
ersfield, Connecticut. 

The relation these two men bore to each other, and the 
place in the mother country from which they came to make 
their homes on these shores, have recently been found by 
one* of the descendants of Samuel, who went to England for 
this purpose. 

Samuel had received a letter from his mother in England 
soon after his settlement in Wethersfield, and this had been 
preserved as a sacred relic, and handed down from one gen- 
eration of his descendants to another unto the present day. 
This letter had become somewhat obliterated by age, and 
only the last letters of the name of the town could be de- 
ciphered, but this gave a clue, by which, after much work 
and trouble, the place was found. 

It was learned that Thomas and Samuel were cousins, and 
their home in England was Claydon, situated in the northern 
part of the County of Oxford. 

The first known ancestor of Thomas and Samuel is William 
Boreman, who was living, 1525, in Banbury, an important 
place a few miles south of Cla}'don, as many things seem to 

*See Boardman Genealogy by Miss Charlotte Ooldthwaite. 

(O 



2 Tilt noARDMAN I AMII.V IN 1 OPSI- IKI.D. 

cstablisli the (act that Thomas Boreman their great-grand- 
father was his son. Thomas Boreman settled in Claydon 
and his son Willi. im was their grandfather. 

The history of Claydon is closely connected with that of 
Banbury, which, with the surrounding region, is a very inter- 
esting place to know about (or many reasons. First of all, it 
is the place so noted in nurscr\- rhymes, and what child has 
not been made familiar with the jingle, "Ride a cock-horse to 
Banbury Cross, To see a fine lady upon a white horse," etc. 
How many ever thought that Banbury was a "really, truly 
place," as the children say. with its real "Cross," and its 
"Cakeshop," which they visit "To see what Tommy can buy." 
According to the historian, all the Tommys from that far- 
away period until now could have the privilege of going to 
that cakeshop with their pennies to bu}- the much -prized 
cakes, for he says, "The fame of Banbur\' cakes has contin- 
ued to the present day ; a shop, which is considered the orig- 
inal cakeshop. is still in existence, and the cakes are proba- 
bly made in much the same way," etc. 

Banbur)- was the market town of the surrounding country, 
and the noted Banburj' Cross stood in the market-place of 
the town. The ancient cross was taken down during the reign 
of Queen I^li/.abcth. but was afterwards restored and ma}- be 
seen there at the present time. 

This region was noted for its association with historic char- 
acters. Dr. Franklin's father lived in Banbur\', and it was 
from this place that he emigrated to New England in 1682. 
A little to the ntjrtheast in Warwickshire, is Stratford-on- 
Avon, the birth()lace of Shakespeare, ami a few miles east 
in Northamptonsliire, was the ht)me of George Washington's 
family. The manor house where his ancestors lived is there, 
and over its door is the Washington Coat of Arms from which 
our stars and stripes originated. A few miles to the north 
in Warwickshire is Warwick Castle, the scat of Lord Brooke, 
and just south of Banbury is Broughton Castle, the scat of 
Lord Say and Seal, who was one of the most influential men 
of his time. Lord Sa\' ami Lord Brooke are interesting char- 
acters to us because lif their connection with our colonial 
history, being instrumental in foumling the town which bears 
their combined natnes, Saybrook, Conn. 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 



Thomas Boreman was baptized in Claydon, England, Oct. 
1 8, 1601. The family name was originally spelled Bowre- 
man, and Lower, in his Dictionary of English Family Names, 
says it was probably derived from an Anglo Saxon word 
meaning bower or bedchamber, thus signifying that the 
bearer was a "chamberlain of some great feudal household, 
or one who was admitted to the private apartments and 
councils of the Lord." The name has since been variously 
spelled, but in this country it seems to have followed the regu- 
lar gradation of Boreman, Borman, Bordman, and Boardman. 

The place and date of the marriage of Thomas Boreman, 
and the family name of his wife Margaret, are not given, and 
the exact date of his coming to New England is not known. 
The records say he was made freeman by the General Court 
of Massachusetts in 1634-5. His first grant of land in Ips- 
wich was recorded in 1635. f^is first house was built on 
High Street now called East Street, and his near neighbor 
was John Winthrop, jr., son of the Governor, and leader of the 
Ipswich Colony. In course of time he came into possession 
of several pieces of land. 

He sold his house on High Street in 1647, and spent the 
closing years of his life on his farm, an island still called by 
his name, Boardman's Island, as is also the street and bridge 
leading to it. The farm is thus described : — "An Island about 
fifty and five acres of medow and upland, bounded on the 
north and northeast by the Town River, and on the east by 
a creek, parting it and an Island belonging to John Perkins 
the Elder, and on the south a p'sell of Land formerly granted 
to George Carr, and on the west the great creek called 
Labour in vayne." 

Besides the "medow and upland" there was a salt marsh 
and thatch ground, so called from the rushes that grew there 
suitable for thatching houses. Provision was made by the 
General Court that certain such grounds should "be for the 
use of the whole town, to be improved for thatching houses". 
The early dwellings were roofed with thatch like those left in 
the old homes in England, and which may be seen there 
today in many places. 



4 THE HOAKDMAX FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 

Thomas Borcman held offices of trust, and his position in 
the commiinit)- may be gathered from the fact that he is 
imiforml}' spoken of as Mr. Boreman, and his wife as M"* or 
Mistress, terms of distinction applied to but few in those 
days. Some idea of his standing with regard to the value of 
his property is shown by the division of Plum Island, Apr. 
lO, 1666, among the 203 commoners. All. whose country 
rate did not exceed 6 s. 8 d., were to receive a single share, 
and 105 received single shares; all, not exceeding 16 s., a 
share and a half, and 70 received such; those above 16 s., 
together with magistrates, elders, Messers John Rogers (the 
minister) and Thomas Andrews (the schoolmaster) a double 
share, and there were 28 to receive them, Thomas Boreman 
standing No. 4 on the list. He died in May, 1673, leax'ing a 
will. Mrs. Margaret Boreman, the widow, died Nov. 25, 
1679, also leaving a will. 

Children of Thomas and Margaret Boreman: 

2. Mary, m. Robert Kinsman, jr., b. 1629. He was one of the six 

men renowned in the history of Ipswich, who, Aug. 27, 1687, 
voted that Andros had no right to tax the people without the 
consent of the General Court, for which they were fined and 
imprisoned twenty-one days by Andros. On his tombstone 
is inscribed, — "Here lieth the body of Quarter Master Rob- 
ert Kinsman who died February ye 19, 171 2, aged S3 years." 
He was by trade a glazier. His will speaks of children : Jo- 
seph, Robert, Thomas (deceased). Tobijah, Mary, Sarah Per- 
kins, Joanna, Margaret and Eunice Burnham. 

3. Daniel, b. 1639. 

4. Martha, b. 1641 ; m. July 4, 1660, Dea. Thomas Low, b. 1632, at 

Chebacco Parish, Ipswich, "malster." His will mentions 
children; Jonathan, Samuel. David, Martha Dodge, Joanna 
Dodge, Sarah Low and Abigail Goodhue. The inscriptions 
upon tombstones at Essex read: "Here lyes ye body of .M"- 
Martha Low wife to Deacon Thomas Low dec"' Jany ye 22<i 
1720 in ye 79 year of her age." "Here lyes ye body of M^- 
Thomas Low Deacon who died April ye 12 1712 aged 80 years." 

"As you ure s» war* w« 
Ab we are you iliall be" 

5. Tho.mas, b. 1643; f"- J'1"- ■' '667-8, Elizabeth, b. Apr. i, 1650, d. 

Dec. 4, 1718, daughter of Sargent Jacob Perkins. He died 
Oct. 3, 1719. Children: Thomas, b. Aug. 8, 1669, m. .Sarah 
Langley; Jacob, b. June 10, 1671, m. 1699, Martha, widow of 
John Rogers; John, b. March 18, 1672-3, no further record ; 
Odin, b. Dec. 3, 1676, m. Feb. 28. 1698, Sarah Heard; Mar- 

garet, b. Apr. 5, 16S1, m. 1703, Thomas Burnam; Elizabeth, 
. Nov. 9, 1686, m. Jedidiah Tittcomb. 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 5 

6. Joanna, b. 1649; ^- J^"- 29, 1672, Isaac, son of William Fellows. 
She died Mar. 22, 1732. They had children: Isaac, Samuel, 
Ephraim, Jonathan and Joanna. 



Daniel Borman, born at Ipswich in 1639, married Apr. 
12, 1662, Hannah, born Jan. 20, 1639, daughter of Richard and 
Ahce (Bosworth) Hutchinson who "emigrated to New Eng- 
land about 1635 and settled in Salem, owning land also near 
Hathorne's Hill, Beaver Dam Brook," now a part of Danvers. 
Her lineage can be traced back to Barnard Hutchinson, Esq., 
Cowlam, County of York, England, living in 1282. The 
Hutchinson family of singers were descendants of her brother. 
At the date of his marriage in 1662, according to the records, 
"Thomas Boreman gave in wrighting to his sonn Daniel the 
one halfe of his dwelling-house, barnes, outhouses, orchyards, 
upland and meddows, with all the privileges and appurtenan- 
ces, to be presently possessed and enjoyed, &c., &c." Dan- 
iel afterwards decided to settle in Topsfield, and accordingly 
conveyed back to his father all right to the home farm in 
Ipswich, for ^^225, by a written agreement which was dated 
Sept. 27, 1665. In December of the same year, for ^315. 
he bought of William Evans, a planter, and Agnes his wife, 
a farm of 200 acres, with dwellings, &c., situated in the town 
of Topsfield. 

This farm was "bounded on the south-east by land of John 
Mighill, which he had bought of William Evans ; on the south 
by land of William Avery, which he had bought of Daniel 
Clarke; on the north by land of Isaac Cummings, which he 
had bought of William Evans; on the north-west by land of 
Sargent Peabody, and the cowpen which he bought of 
Evans." This cowpen, containing about an acre and bought 
by Francis Pebody to enlarge his mill lot, was reserved from 
the land sold to Daniel Borman by Evans for that purpose. 

It would seem, from the cowpen being so near the mill, 
that the dwelling-house of Evans, also, must have been situ- 
ated not far from that place. It was probably over the old 
cellar-hole in the back pasture, and was pointed out to me in 
my childhood by my aunts. It was near the corner, where, 
every year within the remembrance of my mother's family, 
the white, fragrant daffodils have come up and blossomed 



6 TlIK nOAKDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 

tinder the bushes. The daffodil is a native of England, and 
I have no doubt that the bulbs were brought over here with 
other family treasures, and were made a part of the first gar- 
den of the household. How much the sweet flowers must 
have been prized by them in their loneliness, separated as 
they were from the dear ones over the sea ! 

There was still another place a short distance from this 
spot, which gave greater evidence of once being a cellar, and 
wc have been told that an Indian family had lived in the old 
house standing there. One of the Bordman wives had been 
very kind to the family, giving them food, clothing, etc., and 
the squaw, desirous of showing her appreciation and of 
making some little return for the kindness rendered, invited 
the good wife one daj- to dine with her. Knowing the 
Imlian character and not daring to brave their displeasure, 
she accepted the invitation and went with many misgivings, 
hoping to find some excuse to get away before the time of 
the feast. After a little chat, the squaw lifted the lid of the 
boiling pot to see how the dinner was progressing. A wood- 
chuck had been caught and plunged into the boiling water in 
its natural condition, fur and all, the sight of which so affected 
the guest that, without any quibbling, she could plead the 
excuse of not feeling verj' well ami make a hasty retreat. 

The large tract of 200 acres or more bought by Daniel, 
has been variously divided and disposed of to different par- 
tics, but the boundary today may be given in general terms 
as follows : — Beginning at the bridge near the turnpike, it 
was bounded by the mill lot, the mill pond, then the long 
stretch of wall to the turnpike, separating it from I. B. Young's 
land, formerl)' Francis Pcbodj's. this wall continuing in 
former times running about north-east, to the old Ipswich 
road, the north school-house road, part of Averill's land, the 
road b\- Donaldson's place, then turning, it takes in a hill 
covered with forest trees, a long stretch of meadow, and the 
front field to the turnpike again. It took in, besides, the 
land now owned f)y Miss Hattie Porter, by Benjamin C. Dodd, 
by Daniel Conant. the field ailjoining, now belonging to 
I'TCil Smrrage, and stretching back from these to the top of 
Great Hill. It also took in a part of the land owned by the 
late George H. I'cvear. The "mill p.ith," as the first road 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 7 

was called, cut off a strip of land which was left adjoining the 
land of Francis Pebody, now the Pevear estate. April i, 
1794, Daniel Bordman, the great-grandson of Daniel Bor- 
man, the first settler, sold this strip to Jacob Peabody, the 
great-grandson of Francis Pebody. J. Waldo Towne came 
into possession of a part of Jacob Peabody's estate, and in 
1846 had the old Peabody house taken down, building the 
present house in 1847 upon the corner of the Borman strip 
of land. Thus it will be seen that all the houses in Spring- 
ville except "the old Perley house," on "William Avery's 
land," have been built upon the original Borman farm ; name- 
ly, the Borman house, now owned by the heirs of B. B. Townc, 
and the houses owned by Miss Hattie Porter, Benjamin C. 
Dodd, Daniel Conant, the late George H. Pevear, and the late 
Elmore Johnson. Besides these are the houses of Albert H. 
Davison, and the late Mrs. Maria Jane Hobbs, making eight 
in all. 

At the beginning of the year 1803, the Legislature incor- 
porated a turnpike from Newburyport to Chelsea Bridge, 
which passed through a part of the Borman Estate. This 
with the "mill-paths," so called, cut off three or four small 
pieces of land from the main estate, which were afterwards 
sold and on which some of the dwelling-houses I have men- 
tioned were built. 

On June 23, 1681, Daniel Borman sold to Tobijah Perkins, 
son of Rev. William Perkins, the "northeast end of his farm, 
containing 40 acres more or less, bounded on the north by 
the land of Tobijah Perkins, which he bought of Isaac Cum- 
mings, (now owned by Miss Mary T. Robinson) ; on the 
northwest by the land of Lieut. Francis Pebody ; on the 
southeast by land of Ensign Thomas Hewlett; on the south 
by land of Daniel Borman aforesaid ; excepting a highway 
for said Borman and his successors to pass through to 
Ipswich". 

The first mention of Daniel's name in the town records is 
the following : — "At a LawfuU Towne meeting the 19 of March 
1666-^ Thomas perkins ffrancis pebody and John Gould are 
Chosen to Vew and a gree with Daniell Borman for a hie way 
betwene William Auriell house and the mill throw his ground 
as they shall see most Conuenyant. Voted." 



8 THE IJOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 

"At a Lawfull Towne meeting ye 8 of Apriell 1667 The 
Towne hath granted Liberty to \Villiam Auriell and Daniell 
Horman to make a dame at the mile brooke a rod and a 
halfc aboiie the bridge to float there medow prouided it be 
no damage to the Towne. Voted." 

Concerning the road, we find record, — "At a Lawfull 
Towne meeting ye 3 of Jenewary 1670 Lieut ffraincis pebody 
Flnsignc John Gould and Thomas perkins being Chosen by 
ye Towne U> Lay out a highway through part of William 
Aucricll Land and through part of Uaniell Borman Land to 
the Northward side of Mr. perkins his home ffeild haue 
accordingly don it \'c Which highway is Laid out from the 
Vpper end of William Aucriell orchard one rod and a halfe 
wide to \"e afore said northward side of Mr. perkins his feild 
and so through Daniell Borman Land one ye northward sid 
of Mr. perkins ffeild to the former highwa\' againe." A part 
of this highway or mill path is now called "The lane". 

Daniel Borman held town offices as tithing man, "fence 
vewer", "Commit)'", "Soruaure of hiwaes", and selectman 
from 1668 to 1673. He and his wife probably united with 
the Church soon after coming to Topsficld. He died Apr. 
27. 1708. 

Children of Daniel and Hannah Borman : 

7. JosEi-H, b. in Ipswich, bet. 1662 and 1666. 

8. Mary, b. in Ipswich, m. Jan. 23, 1705-6, Ebenezer, son of Abra- 

ham anil Lydia (Hurbank) Foster and lived in Rowley. Chil- 
dren: Jemima; Ruth, m. Jacob Wildes and lived in Kenne- 
bunk. Me.; Moses, m. Hannah Andrews. 
I). Nathanikl, b. in Ipswich, bet. 1662 and 1666. 
10. Thomas, b. in Topsfield, July 15, 1666. Of him nothing definite 
is known unless the foUowinjj record in the "Book oT Eastern 
Claims" has reference to him, which seems probable. — 
"Thomas Hordman, Ipswich, claimed Two Hundred Acres of 
I-ind, part upland, part meadow, lying within the bounds of 
ye townshi]) of Cape I'orpas, lying near to ye deserts and ad- 
jacent to some of Major Phillips, his land granted him by ye 
Major part of ye Inhabitants of said Town at a legal meeting 
May yv 8«h- iWnR, as per instrument attested by I'en of ye 
principal Inhabitants of said Town then on y* s<i 8'^ of May, 
i6«8, subscribed." Another record gives his age at that date 
as 22 years, which would be just the age of Thomas, who was 
l)orn in i0(i6. The only other Thomas, grand-son of the em- 
igrant Thomas, would he too young, as lie was born in 1669. 
Th.it it speaks of him as "Thomas Hordman, Ipswich," might 




.Z,^lU email, 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 9 

be misleading, but the marriage of his younger sister is re- 
corded, "Hannah Bordman, Ipswich." 

11. Hannah, b. in Topsfield, Feb. i8, 1670; m. Eleazer, son of John 

and Rebecca (Prince) Putnam of Salern Village; lived in 
Topsfield until after the birth of two or three children and 
then removed to Salem Village. Children: Hannah, m. Dea. 
Nathan Peabody; Eleazer, m. Mrs. Hannah (Williams) Bill- 
ings of Groton, Conn.; Sarah; Jeptha, m. ist, Ruth Fuller, 
2nd, Mrs. Ruth Raymond of Beverly; Joseph; Samuel, m. 
Elizabeth Putnam. 

Hannah d. , and Eleazer m. 2nd, Elizabeth Rolfe of 

Newbury, sister of the wife of Nathaniel Bordman and had: 

Henry, m. Hannah ; Apphiah, m. ist, John Porter of 

Salem Village, 2nd, Asa Perley of Boxford. 

Mary C. Endicott, wife of the Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, 
Colonial Secretary of England, is a descendant of Eleazer and 
Hannah (Bordman) Putnam through their son Samuel. 

12. Wait John, b. Aug. 23, 1676, in Topsfield; styled "John" in af- 

ter years. 

13. David, b. June 21, 1682, in Topsfield; unm; d. Feb. i, 1724, at 

Preston, Conn. 

14. Jonathan, b. June 21, 1682, in Topsfield; unm.; d. Oct. 3, 1723, 

at Topsfield. 



Joseph Bordman, born in Ipswich between 1662 and 
1666, married, Feb. 17, 1696-7, Prudence, born May 23, 
1675, daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Downing) Foster. He 
received of his father the tract of land lying between the part 
sold to Tobijah Perkins and the part reserved for the home- 
stead. The house in which Joseph lived was probably built 
for him at the time of his marriage, and was the one which 
was burned a few years ago. A roadway was made by travel 
from his father's house to his, with gates to be opened where 
it led from one piece of land to another, as was the custom 
in the old English homes, but there were no pretty green 
hedges to separate the fields, as were used in England instead 
of walls and fences. This roadway, with some little altera- 
tion, was made a county road in 1857, thus rendering a more 
direct route to Ipswich. 

Joseph served the town as "cunstable," treasurer, "serueyer 
of highways," and was selectman in 171 5. He, with wife 
Prudence, united with the church in Topsfield, Apr. 25, 
1708. He died May 18, 1737. His widow died Oct. 
28, 1755. 



lO THE I50ARDMAN FAMILY IN lOl-SFIELl >. 

Conccrninf( the disposal of his property we find the follow- 
ing record: — Nov. 13, 1734, "I, Joseph Bordman (for i^200 
if demanded) give to my two daughters, Abigail Cummings 
and Hannah Perkins, all niy estate real and personal which is 
not otherwise disposed of at my and my present wife's de- 
cease." 

In 1742, his widow Prudence and two daughters sold the 
place to Elisha Cummings, son of the daughter Abigail. In 
1767, EHsha sold it to his brother Palatiah. who in turn, in 
1786, sold the same to a nephew, Rev. Joseph Cummings. 
In 1787, he sold it to Daniel Towne, who had married 
Hannah, daughter of Capt. John Boardman living at the 
homestead. In about a month, Daniel Towne sold "one half 
the farm with one half the buildings thereon and one half the 
outlying meadows," to Asa Perkins, the grand-son of Abigail 
Cummings, who had married Hannah Johnson of Limerick, 
Me., the grand-daughter of Capt. John Boardman. Mr. 
Humphrey Balch, a grand-son of Hannah, has related of her 
that without escort she rode to Limerick, Me., horseback, in 
one day, carrying an infant in her arms. This story has since 
been confirmed by a relative now living in Maine. What 
longings must have filled her heart for the old familiar faces 
and scenes of her childhood's home, to go in such a manner, 
through lonely spots and long stretches of woods, with per- 
haps only a bridle path before her in man\' places! 

Asa Perkins, the last of the Borman descendants to live 
there, died in 1825, and the place passed into the hands of 
strangers. Joshua Wildes and Stephen Bartlctt, who bought 
it of the heirs of Asa Perkins, held it for many years, and 
after their death it was purchased by James Manning. It 
was during his ownership that the buildings were burned one 
very cold night in midwinter. C)ne of the \oungcr daughters 
was so frightened that she caught up a little sister in her arms 
and ran barefooted over the snow for nearly half a mile to 
one of the neighbors, and at twelve o'clock at night made 
known the sad story. A temporary shelter was soon con- 
structed, and in time the present house was erected over the 
old cellar. The heirs of James Manning sold the estate to 
Albert Davison, the present owner. He sold a small piece 
of land to Mrs. M. J. Hobbs, who had a house built upon it. 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. I I 

Children of Joseph and Prudence Bordman : 

15. Abigail, b. Sept. 8, 1700; d. Oct. 5, 1771; m. Mar. 8, 1716-17, 

Isaac, son of Isaac and Alice (Hewlett) Cummings. Children : 
Abigail, m. Samuel Potter of Ipswich; Elisha, m. Mary An- 
drews; Mary, m. Ezekiel Potter of Ipswich; Joseph, m. ist, 
Mary Hale, 2nd, Judith Perkins; Hannah, m. Robert Perkins; 
Pelatiah, m. ist, Sarah Kimball, 2nd, Sarah Hammond. 

16. Hannah, b. Aug. 16, 1703; d. Apr. 27, 1783; m. ist, Dec. 5, 1721, 

Jacob, son of Elisha and Katherine (Towne) Perkins. Chil- 
dren: Catherine, Hannah, Ruth, Abigail, Prudence, Jacob, m. 
Martha Tappan; Lucy, Lydia, Joseph, m. Anna Batchelder; 
Zebulon, m. Mary Wildes; Elisha, m. Mrs. Jane Manning 
of Ipswich; Abel. Hannah m. 2nd, Aug. 23, 1763, John 
Batchelder. 

X 9 

Nathaniel Bordman, born in Ipswich between 1662 and 
1666, married, June 28, 1710, Abigail, daughter of Benjamin 
and Apphiah (Hale) Rolfe of Newbury. He bought land in 
Connecticut, which he afterwards sold, and settled down at 
the homestead in Topsfield. 

Daniel Borman, after having given his eldest son Joseph a 
portion of land and two small tracts to Jonathan, next pro- 
vided for his son Wait John, for, according to the records, 
March 21, 1700, he gave to John all the homestead with 
buildings thereon, except that which he had given to his son 
Joseph and "six acres of tillage belonging to the Old Field 
and four acres belonging to the Brook Meadow," which he 
had given to his son Jonathan. In his will, Jonathan gave 
this land to Moses and Ruth, the children of his sister Mary 
Foster. Wait John seems to have concluded to leave home 
and go away to try his fortune, for we find that in 1704 he 
sold the homestead to his brother Nathaniel and went to 
Connecticut to live. 

Nathaniel was a man prominent in public affairs. He was 
town-treasurer, selectman five years and went as representa- 
tive four years. In 1723 he is styled "Corporal" and in 1728 
"Quartermaster". Over a hundred years later, when the old 
chimney of the house was taken down in 1845, there was 
found in a niche of the chimney a paper which proved to be 
his commission from Lieut. -Gov. William Dummer, as Quar- 
termaster, and dated Aug. 16, 1723. 



12 THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 

In 1736, the "}'ear of an epidemic," the throat distemper, 
he lost his two children by death. Left without heirs, he 
must have sent to his brother John, in Connecticut, for one 
of the sons to come and care for him in his old age, for his 
ncj)hcw John is found living here after 1744 b\' the recorded 
births of children, and the homestead was given to him in 
his uncle's will. Nathaniel lived to be over 90 years of age. 
In his will he remembers most of his own and his wife's rela- 
tions, making abundant provision, also, for his housekeeper 
Mrs. Elizabeth Stephens. He also gives the "Church in 
Topsfield £^. 6s. 8d. towards building a new meeting-house 
provided they set it in the same place." 

His wife Abigail united with the church Aug. 30, 1719, 
and he, Oct. 29, 1749. Abigail died Aug. 11. 1749. He 
died Mar. 7, 1758, "an aged man." 

WILL OF NATHANIEL BORDMAN. 

"In the name of God amen the tenth day of November in 
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred fifty & six, 
I Nathaniel Bordman of Topsfield in the Count}' of Essex in 
New England, gentleman, being of perfect mind and memor\', 
thanks be given unto Almighty God therefor, calling to mind 
the mortality of my body, & knowing that it is appointed for 
men once to die, do make & ordain this niv last Will & Tes- 
tament, that is to say principally & first of all, I give and 
recommend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it, 
hoping through the merits, death & passion of ni}- Savior 
Jesus Christ to have full & free pardon of all ni}- sins, and 
to inherit Everlasting Life ; and my bod>' I commit to the 
Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Execu- 
tors hereafter named, nothing doubting but at the general 
Resurrection I shall Receive the same again by the might)- 
power of God & as touching such worldly Estate as it hath 
pleased Almighty God to bless me with, I give demise and 
dispose of the same in the following manner & form ; that is 
to say 

"Imprimis I give to the children of my Daughter [in-law] 
Martha Chapman deceast the sum of two pounds thirteen 
shillings & four pence Lawfull money to be equall}' divided 
among them and to be paid in two years after my Decease. 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOrSFIELD. 



13 



"Item I give to my Cozen Samuel Putnam of Danvers the 
sum of seventeen pounds Lawfull money to be paid him in 
one year after my Decease. 

"Item I give unto my Cozen Jephthah Putnam of Sutton 
the Sum of two pounds thirteen shillings & four pence Law- 
full money to be paid him in two years after my Decease. 

"Item I give unto my Cozen Henry Putnam of Charleston 
the sum of fourteen pounds six shillings & eight pence Law- 
full money to be paid in one year after my Decease. 

"Item I give unto Mrs. Elizabeth Stephens the sum of 
sixteen pounds Lawfull money to be paid in one year after 
my Decease and allso I give her the feather bed shee now 
lies on with sufificient clothes for one bed, allso a little iron 
pott & a little iron kettle and allso a little Spinning wheel, 
and allso a chamber table, and allso two pewter platters, two 
plates and two chairs, and allso the Horse or Horse kind I 
shall be owner of at my Decease, with the furnituer belonging 
to said horse and two good cows and six sheep, and half the 
Corn both Indian & English I shall have in my house or field 
at my Decease, together with one half of my meat Butter & 
Cheese, and ye one half of my live swine, all the above 
Articles to be at her own dispose as shee shall see cause, and 
shee to come into possession of the whole, except the money 
immediatel}' after my Decease together with the one half of 
the cyder I shall leave at my decease, and my Will is that 
my Executors hereafter named shall keep the afores^ live 
creatures on the place with good keeping for one year after 
my Decease and it is to be understood that the Bed Clothes 
above mentioned is to be the best coverlid & two best 
blankets & two best sheets. I allso give to Mrs. Elizabeth 
Stephens the use and improvement of the West lower room 
in my Dwelling House with a privilege for her bed in the 
East Chamber and sufificient cellar Room for her own use 
for four \'ears after my decease, and five cords of wood for 
her fier Ready cutt and brought to the door as shee shall 
need the same for the above said years, the aboves*" Mrs. 
Elizabeth Stephens being & for some time hath been my 
House-keeper, for which Reason I have given her what is 
above expressed. I allso give her the under bed & bolster 
& two pillers & two piller cases belonging to said Bed. 



14 TIIE BOARDMAN 1-A.MILV IN TOl'Sl- IE1,D. 

"Item I give unto my coiizen Elijah Bordman of Preston 
the sum of six pounds thirteen shillings & four pence Lawfull 
money to be paid him in two years after my decease. 

"Item I give unto my Couzen Joseph Bordman the sum 
of one pound six shillings & eight pence Lawfull mone)' to 
be paid unto him two years after my decease. 

"Item I give unto the relations of my wife lately deceast 
as followeth Viz 

"To children of Henry Rolfe Esq. in Newbury deceast the 
sum of three pounds Lawfull money and 

"To children of Elizabeth Putnam deceast Viz — to Henry 
Putnam & Apphiah Porter two pounds Lawfull money equally 
between them & 

"To my sister in Law Mrs. Dorothy Rolfe deceast her 
children the sum of three pounds Lawfull money to be equally 
divided between them & 

"To Samuel Rolfe of Newbury twenty shillings Lawfull 
money & 

"To Martha Titcomb the wife of Josiah Titcomb of New- 
bury twenty shillings Lawfull money & 

"To Dorothy Greenleaf sister to Mr. Samuel Rolfe of 
Newbury twenty shillings Lawfull money & 

"To Capt John Whipple of Ipswich twenty shillings Law- 
full money & 

"To Hannah Whipple of Ipswich twenty shillings Lawfull 
money all my aforesaid Wife's Relations to be paid in one 
year & a half after m\' Decease. 

"Item I give to the three \-oungest daufjhtcrs of mv 
brother John Bordman of Preston deceast as followeth Viz 
To Mary Williams twenty shillings Lawfull money and to 
Eunice Perkins twenty six shillings & eight pence Lawfull 
money & one sheep and to Lois Cotterell twenty shillings 
Lawfull monej' to be paid in one year after my Decease. 

"Item I give unto the children of my brother Joseph 
Bordman late of Topsfield deceast as followeth Viz To my 
couzen Hannah Perkins twenty shillings Lawfull money and 
to my couzen Abigail Commings twenty shillings Lawfull 
moncy-and to my Couzen Moses Foster twenty shillings 
Lawfull money and to m\' Couzen Ruth Wildes twcnt)' shil- 
lings Lawfull money, all the last mentioned sums to be paid 
in two years after my Decease. 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 15 

"Item I give unto the Church in the Town of Topsfield 
one pound six shillings & eight pence Lavvfull money to be 
paid in one year after my Decease 

"Item I give unto the town of Topsfield five pounds six 
shillings & eight pence Lawfull money towards building a 
new meeting House in the Town for the Worship of God 
provided they sett it in the same place where the old 
meeting House stands in Topsfield to be paid half a year 
after s*^ House is raised, 

"Item I give to my couzen John Bordman in Topsfield 
all my lands and meadows & Buildings in Topsfield aforesaid, 
and all Lands or Marsh in Ipswich or in any other place 
where the same may be found together with all the instru- 
ments for husbandry. 

"Item I give to John Back who hath lived in the house 
sometime with me two pounds Lawfull money or a good 
cow, in half a year after my Decease. 

"Item I give unto my Couzen Nathaniel Bordman a 
feather Bed & bed clothes convenient for it & allso a two 
year old heifer & one half of my wearing clothes & one Bible. 

"Item I give unto my Couzen Hannah Putnam wife to 
Henry Putnam one steer a year old. 

"Item I give unto Jephthah Putnam Jonathan Rolfe 
Elijah Bordman Joseph Bordman Hannah Putnam wife to 
Henry Putnam Eunice Perkins wife to Stephen Perkins 
Moses Foster Ruth Wildes wife to Jacob Wildes & to my 
couzens Abigail Bordman and Hannah Perkins the wife of 
Jacob Perkins & to Mrs. Elizabeth Stephens over and above 
what I have already given them all the remaining part of my 
Estate that is already or shall be hereafter given away to 
be equally divided among them. 

"Item I give unto my Couzen Samuel Putnam over & 
above what I have already given him my great Brass kettle. 

"Item I give unto my Couzen John Bordman over and 
above what I have already given him two third parts of the 
cattle & sheep that may be left at my Decease besides what I 
have already given away in this Will and allso half the corn 
that I shall leave. 

"I do hereby constitute & Ordain the abovesaid John 
Bordman one of my executors to this my Last Will & Testa- 



l6 THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IX TOPSFIELD. 

ment, who is to pay and dischar<,'e all my debts & Icfjacies & 
funeral charp^cs. I do allso constitute & appoint my Couzens 
Samuel Putnam and Ilcnn- Putnam my other two Executors 
to see this my Last Will and Testament fulfilled. And I do 
utterly disallow Revoke disannuU all & every other former 
wills legacies & bequests by me heretofore made Ratifiying 
& confirming this & no other to be my Last Will and Testa- 
ment, in witness whereof I have hereunto sett my Hand & 
Seal the day & year abovesaid or written. 

"Signed sealed published & Declared by the s"* Nathaniel 
Bordman as his Last Will & Testament in presence of us the 
subscribers 

s*" Tobijah Perkins his 

Daniel Gould Nathaniel y-j Bordman" [Seal] 

Thomas Baker mark 

Children of Nathaniel and Abigail : 

17. Nathaniel, b. Apr. 9, 171 1; m. Apr. i, 1736, Martha Perley of 

Ipswich. He died Aue. 26, 1736, and she m. 2nd, John 
Chapman, jr. and their children were remembered in the will 
of Nathaniel Bordman, father of the first husband. 

18. Abigail, bapt. Sept. 5, 1714; d. Sept. 13, 1736. 

12 

(Wait) John Boardman, born in Topsfield, Aug. 23, 
1676, married May 4, 1713, Mary, daughter of Capt. William 
and Hannah Billings of Preston, Conn. The standing of the 
family may be learned from the fact that a brother of Mary, 
Rev. William Billings, was a graduate of Yale. According 
to the custom in those davs, the names of the class were eiven 
in the order corresponding to the rank of their families. 
William Billings stood third in the list. Jonathan Edwards, 
the noted theologian, was a classmate and he ranked fifth. 

From the records of Preston wc learn that I)a\id Borman, 
John's younger brother, was the first of the name to appear 
in the town, buying land there in 1703. In 171 5, he sold his 
first purchase, and going north about a mile, he bought 
again, 140 acres for ;^200, and here he died unmarried in 
1724, only four months after the death in Topstield of his 
twin brother Jonathan. This homestead in some way, not 
recorded, passed into the hands of Eleazer Putnam, who must 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 17 

have been the eldest son of his sister Hannah, for in a subse- 
quent transfer of a part of it. Eleazer speaks of the former 
owner as, "my uncle David Bordman." 

Nathaniel also bought land thc-re, bounded north by 
David's land, but sold the same shortly after, as recorded, to 
"my brother John Bordman, formerly ot Topsficld, Massa- 
chusetts." Thus John, to whom the father had given the 
homestead in Topsfield, and Nathaniel, who had bought land 
in Preston, made an exchange which changed the whole after 
course of their lives. After David's death, John sold this 
tract of land bought of Nathaniel, and purchased two thirds 
of the farm that was David's. Eleazer the grantor speaks of 
him in the transfer as, "my Uncle John Bordman." Here 
John resided until his death and the same has remained in 
the possession of his descendants to this day, unless a change 
has been recentl\- made. In the baptismal records at Preston 
appears the following, — "Apr. i, 1739 — John Bordman. adult, 
Mary Bordman, adult. Hannah, cliild of John Bordman." 
He died Feb. 2, 1739. His widow survived him many years, 
dying May 24, 1776. 

Children of John and Mary: 

19. Unis, b. ; d. Feb. 6, 1714. 

20. A child, b. Nov. 15, 1715; d. Nov. 20, 1715. 

21. John, b. Dec. 21, 1716. 

22. Hannah, b. Oct. 20, 1718. 

23. Elijah, b. Mar. 13, 1720; d. Dec. 20, 1759; m. Mar. 15, 1749, 

Mary Tyler, b. Mar. 13, 1 720-1, Preston. Children: Henry; 

Elijah, m. 1st, Coit, 2nd, Sabrina Crocker; Jonas, 

m. 1st, Lorana Benton, 2nd, Elizabeth Jewett; John, m. Cla- 
rinda Starbuck; Mary, m. John Tyler. 

24. Joseph, b. Oct. 20, 1722; d. Sept. 23, 1796; m. Sept. 8, 1749, 

Rachel Killam. Children: David, m. Jemima Kinney; Jona- 
than, m. Priscilla Safford; Elisha; Hezekiah, m. Hannah 
Cook; Mary, m. Robbins; Elizabeth, m. Rob- 
bins; Joseph; Rachel, m. Andrew Hewitt; Benjamin, ni. Sabra 
Brown; Eunice, m. ist, Thomas Meach, 2nd, Merrill Safford; 
Lois, m. 1st, Dennison Kinney, 2nd, Benjamin Town; Sam- 
uel, m. Nancy . 

Joseph was commissioned in 1776, Captain of the 2nd com- 
pany, or train band, of the 8th Regiment of Conn. His sons 
David and Hezekiah, and nephew Elijah were in his company. 

25. Maky, b. Mar. 20, 1724; m. Oct. 12, 1743, Henry Williams. 

26. Unis, b. July 10, 1728; d. Feb. i, 1813; m. Aug. 10, 1748, Capt. 

Stephen, son of John and Dorothy (Wildes) Perkins of Tops- 
field, and lived in Topsfield. Children: Dorothy, m. Nathaniel 



1 8 THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 

Averill; Mary, d. aged 26; Abigail, m. Nathaniel Hammond. 

27. Lois, b. Oct. 14, 1730: m. John Cottrell. 

21 

Capt. John Boardman, born in Preston, Conn., Dec. 21, 
1 7 16, married Jan. 26, 1736, Elizabeth Cagwin, born Feb. 8, 
1 714-15, daughter of John and Hannah (Brown) Kegwin, of 
Stonington, Conn. Her ancestors belonged to a party of 
colonists who settled in Voluntovvn, Conn., and organized the 
first and for many years the only Presbyterian Church in the 
State. He lived in Preston until after the birth of the fourth 
child, which is recorded there in 1744, and then came to 
Topsfield to live with his Uncle Nathaniel, who gave him 
the homestead by will. The birth of the next child is 
recorded in Topsfield. In the Preston church records among 
the names of those who had "owned the covenant" were 
John Bordman and Elizabeth his wife. They became mem- 
bers of the church in Topsfield, Nov. 23, 1746. He held 
town offices as tything man, fence viewer, constable, warden, 
hogreeve, school committee, surveyor, overseer, committee 
of safety and selectman. He espoused the cause of freedom 
by becoming a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He died 
Apr. 7, 1780, and is called "Capt. ]ohn liordman, Gent.," in 
the records. His widow died Feb. 3, 1789. 

Children of John and Elizabeth : 

28. Hannah, b. 1737, in Preston, Conn.; d. Dec. 30, 1814, in Tops- 

field; m. Feb. 23, 1761, Lieut. Daniel, son of l^hilip and 
Dinah (Hobbs) Towne. No children. 

29. Abigail, b. 1739, in Preston; d. July 8, 1786, in Topsfield; m. 

Jan. 4, 1763, Stephen, son of Stephen and Rebecca (Peabody) 
Foster of Topsfield. Children: Nathaniel, m. Salome Foster; 
Matilda, m. Samuel Bradstreet; Abigail, m. Thomas Cum- 
mings. Stephen Foster m. 2nd, Sarah Dorman, lived on the 
John Smith farm, in Topsfield on the road leading to Line- 
brook. 

30. Nathaniel, b. 1741, in Preston; "died in ye war, 1760." 

31. Lois, b. 1744, in Preston; d. Dec. 6, 1792; m. Apr. 26, 1763, 

Thomas, son of Thomas and Lydia (Richardson) Cummings. 
Lived on the "Reuben Smith farm", Topsfield. Cliiidren: 
Jonas, m. Hepzibah Knowlton; Joseph; Thomas, m. Abigail 
Foster; Nathaniel; Daniel; John IJoardman, m. ist, Rebecca 
I5alch,of Topsfield, 2nd, NIartha Knowlton, of Hamilton. 

32. Elizahf.th, b. Sept. 18, 1746, in To])sfR!d; m. Benjamin John- 

son, of Ipswich. After the birth of their seventh child they 



THE BOARDMAX FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 19 

went to Limerick, Me., and were among the first settlers of 
that town, Mary, the eighth child, being the first white child 
born in that place. He was town clerk' in 17S2, and deacon 
of the Congregational Church for many years. Children: 
Boardman, m. Keziah Foster; Daniel, m. Susannah I'erkins; 
Benjamin, sea captain; Joseph, m. Betsey McKusick; Josiah, 
m. Esther Perkins; Hannah, m. Asa Perkins of Topsfield, 
and lived there; Elizabeth, m. Daniel Hazeltine; Mary, m. 
Joseph Gilpatrick; John, married, and lived in Burlington, Vt. 

33. John, b. Sept. 24, 1748; d. Jan. 28, 1771; m. Nov. 8, 1770, Bethiah 

Giddings, of Ipswich. She m. 2nd, Josiah Fitts of Ipswich, 
3rd, June 3, 1777, John Gould, jr., of Topsfield. 

34. Mary, b. Mar. 12, 1751; d. May 5, 1S03; m. Dec. 6, 1781, Josiah, 

son of Thomas and Anna (Kettell) Cummings. Lived in 
Andover. 

35. Daniel, b. Dec. 26, 1752. 

36. Eunice, b. Feb. i, 1755; d. July 12, 1768. 

35 

Capt. Daniel Boardman, born in Topsfield Dec. 26, 
1752, married (pub.) Nov. 24, 1776, Lydia Bishop of Row- 
ley. Daniel was attending school away from home when his 
only brother suddenly sickened and died leaving the father 
alone upon the farm. He obeyed the call of duty and came 
home to be a comfort and help to the bereaved parents. 
After the death of his father he came into possession of the 
homestead by buying out the rights of his five sisters and 
their husbands, according to the following contract; — "Oct. 
2, 1782. We, Daniel Towne of Topsfield, gentleman, and 
Hannah his wife, and Stephen Foster of Topsfield, yeoman, 
and Abigail his wife, and Thomas Cummings, gentleman, of 
Topsfield, and Lois his wife, and Benjamin Johnson, joiner, 
of Limerick, Co. of York, Me., and Elizabeth his wife, and 
Josiah Cummings of Andover, yeoman, and Mary his wife, 
all of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for and in con- 
sideration of ^^"20 given to us by our brother Daniel Board- 
man, yeoman, aforesaid, to our full satisfaction and content, 
all being children of, and heirs to, the estate that our honored 
father, Capt. John Bordman, late of Topsfield, deceased, 
died sei"ed of, intestate; also in consideration that we have 
received two thirds part of our father's personal estate, &c. 
&c. give tip all claim to our father's estate." 

Daniel served the tt>wn as tythingman, warden, fish com- 
mittee, hayward, surveyor, and school committee. He was 



20 THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 

a captain of the militia in Topsficld, also a soldier in the 
Revolution. He died Ma>' i, 1803. aged 50. The Salem 
Register, May 9, 1803, speaks thus of the funeral services: — 
"On Tuesday last was interred at Topsfield, Capt. Daniel 
Boardman, with every token of respect for his memory, and 
sympathy for his afflicted family. As it was on the day 
assigned to military parade and review, the militia company 
in the town, the command of which he had recentlv resigned, 
appeared under arms on the occasion, commanded by Capt. 
Bradstreet, and went through those movements and positions 
usual on such occasions, attended with solemn music. — The 
order and decorum of the military made a favorable impres- 
sion on a numerous assemblage of people. The solemnity 
observable on the occasion was expressive of the public 
estimation of an honest man, a good neighbor, and a worth)' 
citizen." Mr. David Kimball of Portsmouth, N. H., one of 
Topsfield's worthy sons, once spoke of being a witness to the 
scene. He said he was a very small lad and rode on the 
horse with his father. The sight of the Company drawn up 
in military array in front of the house and the solemnity of 
the service, so impressed him that it became indellibly 
stamped upon his memory. 

His widow, Lydia, after having buried in Toj)sfield her 
second husband, John Batchelder, went to spend the remain- 
ing years of her life with her daughter Betsey Marden, in 
Pittsfield, N. H., and passing away Oct. 12, i84i,at the age 
of 88, was laid in her last resting-place among the New 
Hampshire hills. 

Children of Daniel and Lydia: 

37. Eunice, b. Jan. 8, 1778; d. May 2, 1852; m. ist, Nov. 30, 1797, 

Jonathan Porter of Danvers; 2nd, Oct. 16, iSio, Jeremiah 
Putnam of Danvers. Their only child, Joseph Porter Put- 
nam, when not quite five years old, was crossing the bridge 
at Uanversport, where he lived, and a drove of sheep came 
along. Becoming frightened, he climbed the railing and, 
leaning over too far, fell into the water and was drowned. 

38. John, b. Oct. 10, 1779. 

39. Bishop, b. Sept. 26, 1781; d. Oct. 20, 1S53, in Danvers, unm. 

He spent the last of his days with his brother Nathaniel. 

40. Danikl, b. Nov. 1 1. 1783. 

41. Betsey, b. Jan. 8, 1785: d. Aug. 10, 1875, at Pittsfield, N. H.; m. 

Mar. 4, 1824, David Marden. One child, Julia Marden, d. 
aged 24 years. 




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THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 21 

42. Lydia, b. 1787; d. Sept. 9, 1796, "8 yrs. old." 

43. Nathaniel, b. Sept. 29, 1790. 

44. Sally, b. Dec. 3, 1793; d. Aug. 28, 1872; m. Mar. 12, 1812, Ben- 

jamin, b. Dec. 22, 1793; d. Mar. 29, 1879, son of Jacob and 
Rachel (Cain) Tovvnc; lived in Top.sfield. Children: Benja- 
min Boardman, m. Esther Peabody; Alfred Porter, m. Har- 
riet Newell Peabody; Jacob Aden, m. Sarah Peabody; Eu- 
nice Elizabeth, m. Benjamin Glazier; Elisha Huntington, m. 
Ann Sillars; Jeremiah Stone, died young; Sally Ann, m. 
Charles Procter; Caroline Haskell. 

38 

John Boardman, born in Topsfield, Oct. lo, 1779, mar- 
ried. Mar. 18, 1802, Rebecca, born Jan. 7, 1782, daughter of 
John and Bethiah (Giddings) Gould. They lived in Tops- 
field. He died June 17, 1856, and his vvidow died May 12, 
1861. 

Children of John and Rebecca: 

45. John, b. 1802. 

46. Lydia, b. Jan. 10, 1804; m. ist, Thomas Lord (Child: Charles 

Lord, m. Lizzie Trask), 2nd, Capt. William Weirs. Lived 
in Salem. 

47. Eunice, b. Apr. 9, 1806; d. July 7, 1872; m. July 17, 1827, Benja- 

min Franklin Rogers of Salem. Lived in Salem. Children: 
Eunice Rebecca, m. Capt. Charles C. Osgood; Joseph Porter, 
m. Mary Wilson; Nancy Augusta, m. Robert Barr; Lydia 
Lord, m. John Boyd; Benjamin Franklin, m. Fannie Sleeper. 

48. Sally, b. Oct. 24, 1808; d. July 11, 1882; m. (pub.) July 29, 1832, 

Cyrus, son of Aaron and Lucy (Hobbs) Kneeland. Lived 
in Topsfield and Georgetovk^n. Children: Cyrus Alonzo, m. 
Eliza Welch; Melissa, m. John Scates; Edgar, m. Rosetta 
Sullivan; Lydia, m. William Spofford; Charles, m. Lizzie 
Hunkins; Mary, m. Ansel Sleeper; Asa Pingree, d. in car 
coming home on furlough during Civil War; Frank; James; 
Rebecca. 

49. Daniel, b. Apr. II, 181 1. 

40 

DANIEL Boardman, born in Topsfield, Nov. ii. 1783, 
married Mar. 15, 1804, Elizabeth, born Mar. 17, 1785. daugh- 
ter of Zaccheus and Anna (Brown) Gould. They lived in 
Topsfield. He died at sea, and she married, second, Arte- 
mus Perley of Boxford. 

Children of Daniel and Elizabeth : 

50. Elizabeth, b. 1804; m. Aug. 4, 1822, Samuel Janes. Lived in 



22 Till-: l;oARl).MA\ lA.MILV IN TOI'SFIELD. 

Topsfield. She d. May 6, 1875. Children: Eunice Gould, m. 

James Connelly; John Collins, m. ist, Sophia , 2nd, 

Sarah ; Samuel Augustus, m. Eliza Brown; Daniel 

Boardman, m. ist, Orissa Andrews, 2nd, Cynthia Wildes; 
Elizabeth, m. John Ingalls; Joseph Porter, m. Margaret P. 
Hobson; Mary Ann, m. Nahum Getchell; Emily Augusta, m. 
James Wilson; Susan Maria, m. Robert Getchell; Wm. 
Henry, unm.; Harriet Ellen, m. Herbert Niles; Theodora, m. 
Benjamin Hall; Julia Preston, m. George Gerry. 

51. Anna Brown, b. Aug. 30, 1806; m. Dec, 1824, Samuel Goodale 

of Lunenburg, Vt. She d. Nov. 12, 1871 and he d. Jan. 3, 
1872. Children: Elizabeth Anne, m. Aaron Pillsbury of 
Georgetown; Arabella Johnson, m. Silas Page Lake; Lisa Ma- 
ry, m. William B. Pillsbury of Georgetown; Juliana Aurelia, 
m. Allen Gould; Susan Maria, m. Cleveland Gould (At a 
family gathering a few years ago, live generations were repre- 
sented, including the mother of Mr. Gould, 95 yrs. old, and 
his great-granddaughter, Dorothy B. Chase, an infant.); 
Elmira Minerva, m. Albert Walbridge of Worcester; Nancy 
Jane, m George Savary of Groveland; Huldah Perley, m. 
Moses H. Harriman of Groveland; Samuel Densmore, m. 
Mary Frances Wiggin of Reading; Charles Alden, m. Abi- 
gail Jelleson of Rowley; Arthur Ward, lost at sea, Sept., 
1867. 

52. Daniel, b. Dec. 12, 1808. 

43 

Nathaniel Boardman, born in Topsfield, Sept. 29, 1790. 
married, first, May 16, 18 16, Nancy, born Oct. 30, 1795, 
daughter of Israel and Anna (Endicott) Putnam. She died 
Mar. 19, 1823, and he married, second, Nov. 25, 1824, Anna, 
born Oct. 27, 1792, daughter of David and Elenor (Haskell) 
Putnam. He was a shoe manufacturer and lived in Danvers. 
He was for many years one of the Trustees of the Danvers 
Savings Bank. He died in Danvers, Oct. 27, 1876, and his 
wife died June 27, 1872. 

Children of Nathaniel and Nancy : 

53. Israel Putnam, b. Apr. 16, 1817. 
Children of Nathaniel and Anna: 

54. Nancy Ellen, b. Nov. 28, 1825, in Danvers; m. Apr. 12, 1S55, 

Edward Augustus Lord of Ipswich. They lived in Danvers 
and Evanston, 111., where she died Mar. 11, 1891. Children: 
Anna Putnam, m. Frank Edwin Miller of Evanston; Frank 
Elmer; Alonzo Boardman; Percy Augustus; Mary Wade. 

55. Cakollne Haskell, b. Mar. 28, 1829; d. Feb. 7, 1S33. 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOrSFIELD. 23 

56. Nathaniel Holten, b. Mar. 28, 1829. 

57. Alonzo Bishop, b. June 26, 1831; d. Feb. 9, 1848. 

58. Horace Webster, b. June 3, 1834. 

45 

John Boardman, born in Topsfield, 1802, married Nov. 
22, 1838, Louisa Searle, born May 19, 1808, daughter of 
John and Elizabeth (Searle) McKenzie. They lived in 
Topsfield. He died Feb. 24, 1884, and his widow died Mar. 
10, 1887. 

Children of John and Louisa Searle: 

59. Thomas Greenleaf, b. Feb. 12, 1839. Went west to live. 

60. Adelaide Louisa, b. Sept. 9, 1841; m. Aug. 22, 1868, Benjamin 

Colby, son of Benjamin C. and Elizabeth (Goodell) Dodd. 

61. Eunice Putnam, b. Jan. 4, 1844; d. Apr. 6, 1853. 

62. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 30, 1846; m. July 2, 1868, Francis Creelman 

Frame of Boxford. Live in Topsfield. Children: Delia 
May, m. Fred Deering; Bessie Louise, m. John Leonard 
Fiske; Ralph Greenleaf, m. Rose M. Libby; Grace Adelaide; 
Roy Francis; Elsie Belle; Bernice Damon. 

63. Alfred, b. June 24, 1848; d. Apr. 28, 1851. 

49 

Daniel Boardman, born in Topsfield, Apr. 11, 1811, 
married Sarah Bruce of Salem. They lived in Salem and 
Boston. 

Children of Daniel and Sarah: 

64. Augusta, m. Joseph de Freys. 

65. Sarah, m. Charles Fames. Child: Nellie Augusta. 

66. George, b. in Salem; m. Lucy Turner. Children: Augusta, 

Daniel. 

67. Charles. 

52 

Daniel Boardman, born in Topsfield, Dec. 12, 1808, 
married Apr. 29, 1830. Mehitable Balch, born Nov. 19, 1813, 
daughter of Moses and Phebe (Brocklebank) Nelson of 
Georgetown. He was a musician of some note and during 
the Civil War was a member of the band attached to the 
17th Regt. Massachusetts Volunteers. He died in George- 
town, June 18, 1 891. 

Children of Daniel and Mehitable Balch: 



24 THE BOAKDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 

68. Mary Elizabeth, b. Dec. 25, 1830, in Georgetown; m. May 20, 

1848, Hiram A. Bagley. Children: Emma Frances; Charles; 
William; Frank; Cora Picolomini; Annie Florence; Herbert 
Prescott. 

69. Charles Greekleaf, b. Mar. 17, 1833. 

70. Mehitable Nelson, b. Dec. 9, 1834, in South Danvers; m. 

Dec. 15, 1S53, Proctor S. Dwinnell. Children: Frank Story; 
P. Everett; George Nelson. 

71. Olive Maria, b. Mar. 18, 1837, in Marblehead; m.June 18, 1855, 

George E. Batchelder of Topsficld. Children: Grace Ellen, 
d. 1884; George Wellington. 

72. Phebe Augusta, b. Oct. 9, 1839, in Georgetown; m. Apr. 3, 1865, 

Charles H. Dow. Child; Helen Elizabeth. 

73. Abbie Huldah, b. Feb. 3, 1842, in Georgetown; m. May i, 1863, 

Alphonso Munday of Topsfield, who d. Mar. 30, 1880. Child: 
Thomas Fred. 

74. Sarah Charlotte, b. June 10, 1844, i" Georgetown; m. Dec. 8, 

1869, Henry Browning, who d. Aug. 10, 1873. 

75. Moses Nelson, b. Oct. 3, 1846. 

76. Ella Sophronia, b. May 30, 1851, in Boxford; d. Jan. 19, 1865. 

53 

Israel Putnam Boardman, born in Danvers, Apr. 16, 
1817, married July ii, 1842, Caroline Elizabeth, born Mar. 
15, 1823, daughter of Moses and Mehitable (Upton) Gould. 
He was a shoe manufacturer and lived in Danvers, where he 
died Feb. 17, 1891. 

Children of Israel Putnam and Caroline Elizabeth: 

77. Mary Alice, b. June 10, 1844; m. Oct. 17. 1865, George Faxon 

of Quincy. Children: Caroline B.; Grace B.; Endicott. 

78. Lewis Augustus, b. June 21, 1846. 

79. Minerva Inez, b. Mar. 22, 1S50; m. Dr. Samuel N. French. 

56 

Nathaniel Holten Boardman, born in Danvers, Mar. 
28, 1829, married Dec. 16, 1857, Harriet Maria, born Jan. 16, 
1833, daughter of Simeon and Harriet (Whitticr) Putnam. 
They lived in Danvers, where she died Sept. 19, 1882. 

Children of Nathaniel Holten and Harriet Maria; 

80. Elizabeth Gardiner, b. Dec. i, 1S61; m. June i, 1893, Charles 

W., son of William O. and Martha (Caldwell) Hood. Live 
in Danversport. 

81. Ralph Holten, b. June 30, 1867. 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD, 2$ 

58 

Horace Webster Boardman, bom in Danvers, June 3, 
1834, married Nov. 25, 1876, Lucy, born Sept. 2, 1848, 
daughter of Noah B. and Mary F. (Lane) Church of New- 
buryport. They live in Danvers. 

Child of Horace Webster and Lucy: 

82. Leslie Putnam, b. Apr. 29, 1880; m. Apr. 23, 1902, Myra, b. 

Aug. 10, 1883, daughter of John and Margaret Haines. Live 
in I)anvers. 

69 

Charles Greenleaf Boardman, born in Georgetown, 
Mar. 17, 1833, married May 28, 1867, Louise Frances Nichols. 
They lived in Roxbury. She died Jan. 3, 1876. 

Children of Charles Greenleaf and Louise Frances: 

83. Mabel Louise, b. July 18, 1869; d. Apr, 30, 1875. 

84. Charles Seth, b. Nov. 29, 1873. 

75 

Moses Nelson Boardman, born Oct. 3, 1846, in George- 
town, married Sept. 28, 1867, Martha, born Nov. 12, 1848, 
daughter of Thomas K. and Louisa (Morgan) Leach of 
Topsfield. They live in Georgetown where he is engaged in 
the grocery business. 

Children of Moses Nelson and Martha: 

8s. Willie Nelson, b. May 6, 1870; d. July 13, 1870. 

86. Harry Woodbury, b. May 6, 1874. 

87. Seth Howard, b. Aug. 3, 1882. 

81 

Ralph Holten Boardman, born in Danvers, June 30, 
1867, married Sept. 30, 1886, Helen Frances Crocker, born 
June 29, 1869. They live in Danvers. 

Children of Ralph Holten and Helen Frances. 

88. Cleon Whittier, b. June 12, 1887; d. Sept. 12, 1889. 

89. Gladys Putnam, b. May 6, 1889. 

90. Holten Gardiner, b. Jan. 12, 1891. 

91. Nelson, b. Apr. 20, 1896. 

92. Rodney, b. Feb. 21, 1898. 



26 THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 

86 

Harry Woodbury Boardman, born in Georgetown, 
May 6, 1874, married June 10, 1895, Blanche, born Jan. 24, 
1875, in Brookfield, daughter of William and Annie (Hilton) 
Allen. Live at Worcester. 

Child of Harry Woodbury and Blanche : 

93. Nellie B., b. Apr. 2, 1897. 



In 1807, the heirs of Capt. Daniel Boardman sold a part 
of the farm and one-half the house to John P. Peabody, who 
was a descendant of Joseph Boardman, through his daughter 
Abigail Cummings. In 1835, they sold the remaining part 
of the farm and the other half of the house to Benjamin 
Boardman Towne, a grandson of Capt. Daniel Boardman. 
In 1843, B. B. Towne bought out John P. Peabody, thus 
owning the whole Boardman farm, and the homestead 
remains in the possession of his heirs at the present time. 
Thus it is plainly seen that the Borman homestead has been 
occupied by Daniel Borman and his descendants to the eighth 
generation, including the children of one of the present heirs. 
Daniel Borman, the first settler, has not a representative in 
Topsfield today bearing his name. Through the daughters, 
however, he is represented by a great many of its citizens, 
bearing the names of Avcrill, Balch, Cummings, Gould, 
Peterson, Perkins, Todd, and Towne. The house, which was 
built on its present site in 1697 ^or Daniel and Hannah Hutch- 
inson Borman was considered unusually large for those times. 
In 1843, when it came into the possession of Benj. B. Towne, 
few changes, probably, had been made, and, as may be imag- 
ined, it was in rather a dilapidated condition, but the old oaken 
frame remained firm and strong. The large old chimney 
was taken down that year, and the house remodeled, and 
with the various changes since made, there is little today to 
remind one of its extreme age, except the old-fashioned 
beams, now encased, to be seen in some of the rooms, and 
the brick and mortar packing between the inner and outer 
walls. 



THE BOARDMAN FAMILY IN TOPSFIELD. 2^ 

The worn attic stairs, and under the eaves the broken 
loom and leaning wheel, the motionless swifts and silent reel, 
tell their own story of past labor and long rest. 




1 P ^ViAH^ 

Facsimile of the signature of Thomas Borman, I60i-i673. 



The illustrations used in connection with this genealogy 
are reprinted from The Boardman Genealogy, Hartford, 
1895, through the courtesy of William F. J. Boardman of 
Hartford, Conn. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



021 549 359 3 



